Bell-muffler.



J. T. BERTHELOTE.

BELL MUFFLER.

/WPLicAHoN HLEU SEPT.14. 1918.

l g@ l D Patented Feb. 25, v1919.

JOSEPH T. BERTHELOTE, OF HAVRE, MONTANA.

BELL-MUFFLER.

Application led September 14. 1918.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH T. BERTHF.- Lo'rn,a citizen of the United States, residing at Havre, in the county of Hilland State of Montana, have invented new and useful Improvements inBell-Mufflers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to means for muflling the sound oftelephone bells.

The primary object of the invention is to produce a device of thischaracter which shall be self-sustaining when arranged upon the bells,the same being provided with cushion elements that directly engage withthe bells to muflle or dampen the sound therefrom.

In carrying out my invention it is my purpose to produce a dampening ormuflling device for telephonev bells in the nature of a spring frame,comprising an arched member 'having lateral extensions at the endsthereof, each of the latter being provided with linturned ears, and`between these ears are pivotally secured segmen-ts of rubber or othercompressible material. The arched central portion of the frame normallyforces the ends thereof toward each other. The inner ears are arrangedinward of the bells, and the compression or tension exerted by thearched member forces the compressible elements into contact with thebells, and consequently sustains the device in operative positionwithout the employ` ment of auxiliary fastening means.

I accomplish the foregoing objects. and others which will appear as thenature of the invention is better understood, by a construction,combination and operative arrangement of vparts referred to in thefollowing description and set forth in what I claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation illustrating the application of theimprovement;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view approximately on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view approximately on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the improvement.

The advantages and desirability ofl mufling telephone bells is too wellknown to be set forth.

A portion of a telephone box is, in the drawings, indicated by thenumeral 5, the

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

seria; No. 254,081.

bells thereon are indicated by the numerals (i, the striker for thebells by the numeral 7 and the arched protector for the striker by thenumeral 8.

The improvement is in the nature of a frame, comprising an archedcentral por tion 9 having widened ends 10 which are bent angularly, inthe same direction from the arch 9, providing the lateral ends of. theframe. These ends, outward of the arch 9 have, upon their edges inwardlyextending ears 11 and 12 respectively. The inner ears l2 are longer thanthe outer ears 11, and the pairs of ears are preferably disposed at anoutward angle with respect to the arch 9. Pivotally secured between eachpair of ears 1l and 12, as at 13 is a segment 14 ofy compressi'blematerial, rubber preferred, and the inner concaved surfaces 15 of thecompressible elements 14k are so shaped as to cngage with the` peripheryof the bells 6.

As stated, the frame is constructed of resilient material, and thearched portion 9 is designed to spring the ends 10 toward each other.The longer ears 12 being arranged inward of the bells will contact withi the edges thereof, and the spring exerted by the arched member 9 willcause the compressihle dampening or muffler members 1-l to tightlyengage with the bells, and as a consequence soften the sound thereof andsilence the noise caused by the vibration of the striker.

`While the construction is illustrated in connection with two bells, itwill be noted that the central arched member of the frame will permit ofthe same being arranged on a single bell.

It is believed, from the foregoing descrip tion, when taken inconnectionl with the drawings that the simplicity of the constructionand the advantages of the device will be perfectly apparent. It is to bestated, however, that while I have illustrated a satisfactory embodimentof the improvement as it now appears to me, I may, at a. later datedesire to make changes therefrom, and therefore I am not to berestricted to the device as described and shown, but am entitled to allsuch modifications as fall within the scope of what I' claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

1. In a device for the purpose set forth, a resilient frame including anarched centralportion having lateral ends, andcom.

pressible elements pivotally secured Ato said ends.

2. In a device for the purpose set forth, a resilient frame including acentral arched portion having lateral ends formed thereon, angcornpressibleelements carried by said @Il S- 3. In a device for thepurpose set forth, a resilient frame including a central arched portionhaving lateral ends, and pivoted segments of compressi-ble material onsaid en s.

4. In a device for the purpose set forth,

a resilient frame, including a central arched portion having lateralends, ears on the edges of said ends to the opposite sides of the arch,and a compressible element pivotally secured between each pair of ears.

5. In a device for the purpose set forth, a resilient frame including acentral arched portion having lateral ends arranged at an angle withrespect thereto, ears on the edges of said ends to the opposite sides ofthe arch, the inner ears bein of a greater length than the outer ears,and a segment of compressible material arranged between each pair ofears and pivoted thereto.

In testimony whereof I affix my si nature..

JOSEPH T. BERTHEL TE.

